Vision

NZEI Te Riu Roa: Advancing Quality Public Education was introduced at Annual Meeting 2010 and further developed through consultation with NZEI members into a core vision document, credible and professionally-based, for use as a long-term, over-arching document in NZEI's planning and advocacy.

“communicates the unique mission of a field and assures that services will be rendered in accordance with high standards and acceptable moral conduct.” (Feeney and Freeman, 1999)3

What should a code look like?

NZEI Te Riu Roa Ethics Panel members established principles for use in the development work and believe that the code should

be aspirational and inspirational

foster pride in NZEI Te Riu Roa

be owned by members

be a living document

provide a set of principles to guide behaviour

be a statement to aspire to and abide by

be easy to remember and use.

Why does NZEI Te Riu Roa have a Code of Ethics?

“A code of ethics is essential if NZEI Te Riu Roa is to be, and be seen as, a professional organisation as well as a union.” (Review by the Professional Practices and Standards Committee 1990s)

Who does the code cover?

The code of ethics is for all members.

Why did NZEI Te Riu Roa review the Code?

The code was reviewed to ensure it reflected the

diverse membership of NZEI Te Riu Roa

the role of NZEI Te Riu Roa members in professional, industrial, social, political, and other contexts.NZEI Te Riu Roa built on the current interest in ethics and ethical behaviours, and on the work undertaken with the New Zealand Teachers Council Code of Ethics.

What if I also am covered by other codes of ethics?

There are many other codes to which members have obligation and commitments. NZEI Te Riu Roa considers that these codes are seen as complementary to the NZEI Te Riu Roa Code, and should be considered alongside the NZEI Te Riu Roa Code for those members who are involved in a particular sector or employment.
Such codes include the Early Childhood Education Code of Ethics for Aotearoa/New Zealand, and the New Zealand Teachers Council Code of Ethics for Registered Teachers. Other members, such as occupational therapists, have a code which covers their employment area.

What was the consultation process?

Annual Meeting 2005 agreed that that the NZEI Te Riu Roa Code of Ethics was to be reviewed.
Work began in October 2005, with the NZEI Te Riu Roa Ethics Panel providing leadership and advice to the National Executive. Consultation with membership covered the period October 2005 to September 2007 and included the involvement of:

National Executive

A National Executive Work Group as a steering committee

Te Reo Areare

NZEI’s network of national advisory groups, whose members facilitated local workshops

District Council and branch members through meetings

Individual members through NZEI Rourou articles.The revised code was developed with consideration given to codes of ethics from unions and from professional organisations, both nationally and internationally. A discussion with an expert ethicist, a literature review, historical research into the origins of the NZEI code, and the use of academic writings, all helped to ensure a broad and robust process.

What is the status of the NZEI Te Riu Roa Code of Ethics?

The NZEI Te Riu Roa Code of Ethics is a Schedule within the Rules of NZEI Te Riu Roa. It can therefore only be altered through a Rule change which must occur at an Annual Meeting of the NZEI Te Riu Roa. This occurred at the Annual Meeting 2007.
A communications and education plan, promoting the positive values encapsulated in the revised Code, will now be implemented.

1: Soltis, J.F. (1986). Teaching professional ethics. Journal of Teacher Education, 37(3), 2-4.
2: Feeney, S. and Freeman, N. (1999) Ethics and the early childhood educator: using the NAEYC Code. Washington: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
3: Hall, A. (2003, March) Notes On A Code Of Ethics For New Zealand Registered Teachers. Paper presented at the New Zealand Teachers Council Education Summit, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand.